Abnormalities of Dog Pregnancy – 7 Common Problems (Vet Reviewed)

Abnormalities of Dog Pregnancy: What Every Owner Should Know

The joy and excitement of a dog pregnancy can quickly turn to worry if complications arise. While most canine pregnancies progress normally, it‘s important for owners to be aware of potential issues that can occur before, during, and after birth. By understanding the signs of trouble and providing proper care, you can help ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery for your dog.

A Normal Dog Pregnancy

Before delving into what can go wrong, let‘s review what a normal dog pregnancy looks like. After mating, gestation typically lasts around 63 days, with a range of 58-68 days. Signs of pregnancy include weight gain, increased appetite, enlarged nipples, and behavior changes like nesting.

During the first month, embryos embed in the uterine wall and begin developing organs and nervous system. The second month brings rapid fetal growth. By the final weeks, puppies are fully formed and preparing for birth. Regular vet check-ups with ultrasounds and x-rays can help monitor development.

Whelping, or birth, begins with stage one labor as the cervix dilates and uterine contractions start. This can last 6-12 hours. In stage two, puppies emerge at 20-30 minute intervals. Strong contractions expel each pup along with its placenta and umbilical cord. The mother licks pups to stimulate breathing and severs cords. Stage three is expulsion of any remaining placentas.

Now let‘s look at some ways pregnancy and whelping can veer off course:

Abnormalities During Pregnancy

Miscarriage/Spontaneous Abortion: Miscarriage, or spontaneous loss of all fetuses before they are viable, can occur due to infections, hormonal imbalances, trauma, maternal health problems, or developmental issues. Signs include vaginal bleeding, discharge, and sudden laxity of the abdomen. Diagnosis is made by ultrasound. The uterus must be emptied via medication or surgery.

Resorption of Fetuses: In early pregnancy, some fetuses may be reabsorbed into the uterine wall if they are abnormal or not developing properly. Fluid-filled sacs appear on ultrasound where embryos have been resorbed. This is the body‘s way of aborting unviable offspring without expelling them. No treatment is needed.

Mummification of Fetuses: Occasionally a deceased fetus in mid-late gestation is retained and becomes mummified rather than expelled or reabsorbed. The body walls harden as fluids are resorbed, leaving a shrunken, dry fetus. Abdominal x-rays reveal the mummified offspring. Surgical removal is required to prevent infection.

Hydrops: An accumulation of abnormal fluid in the uterus, placenta, or fetal compartments can cause a condition called hydrops. Depending on the location of fluid, it may be termed hydrallantois, hydramnios, or hydrocephalus. The uterus becomes very large and distended, putting the mother at risk. Fluid must be drained and fetuses are usually delivered via C-section.

Whelping Complications

Dystocia: Difficult birth, or dystocia, occurs when labor fails to progress normally. Common causes include maternal-fetal size mismatch, abnormal fetal position, uterine inertia, pelvic canal anomalies, and problems with the soft tissues of the birth canal. Signs that stage one labor has gone on too long (over 24 hours) without puppies being born, or prolonged straining in stage two (over 1 hour) without a pup emerging, signal dystocia.

Uterine inertia is a failure of the uterus to contract strongly enough to expel puppies. This can happen if there are only one or two pups, calcium levels are low, or the uterus is exhausted. Oxytocin and calcium may be given to strengthen contractions. A C-section is often needed.

Abnormal fetal positions like breech (tail first), transverse (sideways), or head twisted back make it difficult for puppies to enter and move through the birth canal. Gentle manipulation can sometimes correct positioning, but often a C-section is necessary.

Uterine Rupture: Occasionally, the uterus tears during whelping due to prolonged unproductive labor, trauma, or weakening from previous C-section or infection. Symptoms include sudden, severe abdominal pain, pale gums, collapse, and shock. Emergency surgery is required to remove fetuses and damaged uterine tissue and control hemorrhage.

Hemorrhage: Some blood loss during whelping is normal, but excessive bleeding, with or without passage of large clots, can quickly lead to shock. Causes include uterine rupture, torn vessels, or failure of uterine arteries to clamp down after passage of a placenta. Treatment involves IV fluids, blood transfusion, and medications or surgery to control bleeding.

Post-Whelping Issues

Retained Placenta: Each puppy should be born with its placenta, which is then expelled. Sometimes a placenta fails to detach from the uterine wall and is retained. A green, odorous vaginal discharge after whelping is a sign that a placenta may still be inside. Oxytocin can be given to stimulate the uterus to expel it. If medical treatment fails, surgery may be needed to remove it before infection develops.

Metritis: Inflammation and infection of the uterus, or metritis, can occur after whelping, especially with retained placentas or birthing difficulties. Symptoms include foul-smelling vaginal discharge, fever, lethargy, inappetence, excessive thirst, and neglect of puppies. Hospitalization for IV antibiotics and fluids is often required. In severe cases, the uterus may need to be surgically removed (hysterectomy).

Mastitis: Infection of the mammary glands, called mastitis, is a potentially serious problem in nursing mothers. It‘s often caused by bacteria entering the teat canals from a pup‘s mouth or unsanitary conditions. Affected glands are hot, swollen, hard, red, and painful. The milk may look bloody or purulent. The mother is usually feverish and lethargic. Pups must be separated and hand-fed while the mother is treated with antibiotics, pain relievers, and hot compresses. Abscesses may need to be surgically drained. Untreated mastitis can progress to gangrene or sepsis.

Hypocalcemia/Eclampsia: A sharp drop in blood calcium levels after whelping is called eclampsia or "milk fever." It results from loss of calcium through milk production, especially in high-producing, nervous, small-breed dogs. Muscles tremble and twitch, progressing to stiffness, seizures, high fever, and inability to stand if untreated. This is an emergency requiring IV calcium supplementation and supportive care. Oral calcium and vitamin D are given to prevent relapse.

Subinvolution of placental sites (SIPS): The uterine lining should quickly heal and regenerate after the attachment sites of placentas are evacuated. In some cases, especially with very young mothers, regression is delayed resulting in a condition called subinvolution of placental sites. A persistent bloody discharge occurs for several weeks after whelping. This is often self-limiting but can progress to uterine infection if untreated. Antibiotics and hormones can speed involution.

Preventing Complications

Many pregnancy and whelping complications can be avoided with proper prenatal care. This includes:

• A nutritious, balanced diet and proper body condition before and during pregnancy
• Exercise and activity to maintain muscle tone and prevent obesity
• Regular prenatal veterinary check-ups with imaging to monitor fetal development and detect problems early
• Deworming and vaccination per veterinary recommendations
• A clean, warm, quiet place to whelp with close supervision
• Daily monitoring of the bitch‘s temperature, appetite, behavior, and mammary glands during pregnancy and after whelping

When to Seek Veterinary Care

While some abnormalities of pregnancy and whelping resolve on their own, many can quickly become life-threatening emergencies for mother and puppies. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice:

• Signs of illness in the pregnant bitch like lethargy, fever, vomiting, or inappetence
• Abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding before labor begins
• Straining or unproductive labor lasting more than 1 hour
• Weak, infrequent contractions in stage two labor
• More than 2 hours between delivery of puppies once labor starts
• Foul-smelling, bloody, or purulent vulvar discharge after whelping
• Severe pain, bleeding, collapse, or signs of shock during or after whelping
• Neglect of puppies, restlessness, or excessive panting after whelping
• Swollen, hard, painful mammary glands or abnormal milk
• Muscle tremors, incoordination, or inability to stand after whelping

Conclusion

Dog pregnancy and whelping are natural processes that usually proceed without complication. However, a variety of abnormalities can arise that endanger the mother and puppies. Owners should be familiar with the signs of potential problems and be prepared to seek prompt veterinary care if things go awry. With knowledgeable owners, attentive veterinarians, and a bit of good luck, pregnancy can be a joyful, rewarding experience for human and canine families.